3. Use this technique to stabilize

3. Use this technique to stabilize the veins: Lift the tied tourniquet and stretch the skin and underlying tissues away from the venipuncture site, as shown here. Then gently lower the tourniquet. You may be able to retract several inches of skin and tissue away from the site with this maneuver, which is especially helpful with older patients (who have less collagen and elastin than younger patients) and patients